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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#99: Summer Solstice

In the Northern Hemisphere, June 21st is the ‘summer solstice’ — the longest day of the calendar year and, in astronomical terms, the beginning of summer. In my part of the world, this season evokes a plethora of scenes: sunbathing on river banks, al fresco dining with friends, and trips to the seaside, all punctuated by the heady scents of summertime — potent florals, sunscreen and food sizzling on the grill.

The solstice celebration has its roots in ancient Paganism — where people would gather at sites like Stonehenge and wear protective garlands of herbs and flowers to ward off the evil spirits who, according to Pagan folklore, walk the earth more freely at this time. From a spiritual standpoint, the solstice is all about embracing the sun and its awesome power. Whether you love basking in the sun or prefer to stay inside with the curtains drawn, I thought this week's prompts could be a way for us Reedsians to mark the advent of summer too. Happy writing!

This week's prompts

Begin your story with somebody watching the sunrise, or sunset.

Fluff – 275 stories

Write about the longest day of the year, or a day that never seems to end.

Summer – 99 stories

End your story with somebody stepping out into the sunshine.

Summer – 211 stories

Write a story about somebody reminiscing on an event that happened many summers ago.

Summer – 217 stories

Write a story about characters going on a summer road trip.

Summer – 104 stories

Stories

“My Summer Vacation” by Sheila Borton

Submitted to Contest #99

It was a beautiful afternoon when all the sudden my family decided to go on a Vacation somewhere beautiful and fun.And I decided to asked my parents and sibilings if it was alright to have my best friend come along,they said as long as theyre parents dont mind her going with us.And also my parents are amazing with all sorts of children of all ages and because one of my parents is a teacher at her school,which is so cool,So we all decided to set off on our Vacation and as were going down the highway in our big SUV we noticed lots of beautiful...

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“No Regrets.” by Consistently Lost

Submitted to Contest #99

Twas A Summer Night before a Saturday, And all through the House,Were my family on their devices, and eating take out,Where was I? I was up high,Out on the roof, Setting up for the night's sky,For nothing special, just to peer into spaceBut light pollution proved it to be a waste."NICK?" My mother called from down below,"I'm up here" I yelled back, "My phone's not working, come fix that"I clambered down to help her,Groaning and wondering where my siblings were.I checked her phone, and to my dismayI realize the internet had gon...

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“Summer of The Dancing Rabbits” by Sam Seabolt

Submitted to Contest #99

My dreams were filled with the smell of frying bacon. My eyelids fluttered, my mouth watered, I cracked open my sleepy eyelids, breathing in deeply, frying bacon again filled my nose, stretching and yawning I poked my brother, Donnie, in the ribs’. “Wake up stupid, Grandma’s cooking breakfast” the only response was another snore. I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, a slight breeze blew th...

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“The road trip of doom!” by Damian Nowacki

Submitted to Contest #99

DING! DING! DING! DING! The school bell rang for the end of the term, finally the school holidays would begin! Jack and John entered out of the school building, each thinking up the things they could do in the next couple of weeks. “Come over to my house and we’ll have a barbecue!” “Let’s have a water fight! I have plenty of water guns at home!” “Maybe let’s-” They reached John’s house. “Nevermind,” smiled Jack, “we’ll discuss this later.” Over tea, John’s family were discussing their summer holiday plans. Mom seemed extra happy while ...

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“Goodbye, So Called “Earth”” by Pahani Wijeratne

Submitted to Contest #99

Dear Diary,Life has been extremely tough for me. I calmed myself today by looking outside at the sunrise this evening when I returned home from school. School was awful today, more than usual. Miss Carey the awful was incredibly nasty to me during the French period. I explained to her several times that I’m still a beginner, but no! She didn’t even take time, let alone a few seconds at least to acknowledge that fact. It was like I was an invisible person to her. Maybe, I should just quit French. Although I love French with all my heart, the ...

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“When the Colors Fade” by Tommie Michele

Submitted to Contest #99

I can’t tear my eyes away from the horizon. I’ve heard about the sunset all my life, but words can’t do it justice. The orange and pink illuminating wispy tendrils of clouds, the indigo and purple spreading down the sky, soothing the receding flames of the sun. It’s beautiful. And I’m most definitely not supposed to be watching it. My name, Ebony—it fits me. Raven-black hair framing ivory skin, slim figure, but most of all, I’ve never seen colors as vibrant as this. Compared to the scene I’m glued to, my life has been shades of bla...

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“Gone” by Jen IB Economics

Submitted to Contest #99

At first I thought it was the wind. Or just the house creaking. It’s an old house. All old houses make strange noises. Especially in the basement. Shuddering, shaking, bellowing, howling echoes up from the basement. But then the noises started to change. They got louder. More like a moan. Different distinct voices. Sometimes moaning, sometimes whispering, but always persistent. In the evenings the moaning got louder, the pitch higher. More desperate. Almost pleading. They wanted to be let out. But who would be crazy enough to ...

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“Gene's Sunshine” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #99

The vampire and I have been partners in exile for a long time now. Gene is stoic. She doesn’t complain. Not with words at least. She’s red hair, brown eyes, pale skin, and a frown. There are people in all our lives we never forget, no matter how long ago we lost them. She carries the pain of those losses in her eyes. Oddly I don’t think the loss of family stung her as much as the man she never expected to find. Gene talks about her mother and father, her older sisters. She never mentions him. He is the look in her eye...

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“Scones” by Kayley Dickins

Submitted to Contest #99

Getting time off work was a rarity, getting time off work in the summer was nothing short of a miracle, but getting time off work that coincided with your partner simply didn’t happen. Contrary to all rules of nature, it just had. Not something to be dwelt over, they had left the building the day before trying their hardest to pretend they didn’t exist, never had, and never would again. Someone remembering their presence now would simply not do. That brought with it the risk of them being told quite directly that they were no longer hurtling...

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“Two Years Later (Part 3: Prison Break)” by Phoebe DeNeve

Submitted to Contest #99

"If you try to escape I will not hesitate to end you." Harris threatened, pushing his hostage down the halls of the prison. Despite the warning, Thomas gave a small struggle, that he knew his captor wouldn't notice, at his restraints that kept his hands behind his back; unfortunately, it was in vain. "You got that?" Harris ordered, after receiving no answer from Thomas. The detective gave an eye roll, and muttered, "Yeah, yeah, I got it." Thomas kept the anxiousness out of his voice, but deep down he was terrified for both him and Rean...

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“Apparently my new best friend ” by Grace Kelley

Submitted to Contest #99

Watching the sun come up was incredible, watching the colors spread out and the gold light hit my skin, it felt incredible, I looked at Miles, who apparently shall be my new best friend. He doesn’t know that yet, but he will.I got up and began to shove things into my bag and got up. Sleeping outside wasn't bad, I reached into my bag and grabbed some roots to chew on, I walked over to Miles and kneeled down, poking him in the shoulder, “Miles are you awake? How are you feeling? Miles wake up” he groaned as he swatted my hand away and sat...

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“Headed West” by David Taylor

Submitted to Contest #99

The three brothers packed their things. Jacob Chu, the eldest, was taking inventory of all the essentials. The middle brother, Joseph, did the same for his own personal effects; double checking that his essentials were packed in place. All who was left was the youngest brother, Jordan, who printed multiple maps from MapQuest. He used a highlighter to show the path they brothers needed to go from Atlanta to Santa Fe. If the path is to be believed, they would be on the road for a minimum of 20 hours ignoring traffic and time. In reality, Jaco...

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“First time to Cafe Shi” by Clinton Siegle

Submitted to Contest #99

Magical bookstores? It was not what I had been looking for so long ago. I had been yelled at by a professor and humiliated, however I proved I was right.I had had enough. I was walking the streets going to a pharmacy that had a malt shop inside it. Yes, Bozeman Montana still had a malt shop and for five dollars the whole canister along with large malt glass would be mine.However, it was sunset and right where an alley should lead me to the other side of a street a building appeared. Appeared? Well, I knew my location. I knew where I was goin...

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“2HOT in Arizona” by S.E. Reed

Submitted to Contest #99

The front vanity plate on her vintage red mustang read “2HOT”. She thought it was funny. This was Arizona after all. “You know dear,” Mrs. Tanesky started in, “If you want Bill to propose, you’re going to have to sell that car. Men don’t like to compete. And that car just screams--” “Ooops look at that, I’ve got someplace to be.” Esther Rae rolled her eyes at the nosey neighbor as she wiggled by in her jean mini-skirt and wedge heels. Her faded hemp bag was slung over one shoulder, filled with the essentials. She ...

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“IT WAS NOT MY PLACE” by Elizabeth Michelle

Submitted to Contest #99

I had been walking for hours and I did not seem to be getting to my destination. As I went further, I met a crowd. The first face I saw was my musical mother. She came as Whitney. Around her was a throng. It looked like many people had been birthed in our house. I couldn’t remember when that happened but I felt like everyone in the crowd was my relative. Then Alas! I met my twin sister. We somehow looked alike!. She was musical. She had everything in talent that our musical mother had. She received all the attention in the room. Her voice ...

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$50

Prize money

909

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 25, 2021 EST

Won by Tom Vandel 🏆

Title: The Men and the Lake

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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